Jaylen Raynor is heading into his first season at Iowa State with plenty to prove, and one national quarterback ranking has already given him a little extra fuel.
CBS Sports’ David Cobb recently put together a list of 50 quarterbacks entering the season, and Raynor didn’t make the cut. For a veteran passer who has piled up production over three years at Arkansas State, that’s a notable snub.
Raynor arrives in Ames after a massive offseason reset for the Cyclones. Head coach Matt Campbell left for Penn State, taking over the Nittany Lions, and new head coach Jimmy Rogers had to rebuild quickly. Rocco Becht, the three-year starter who had been Iowa State’s steady presence at quarterback, followed Campbell to Happy Valley, leaving Rogers to find a new answer under center.
He found one in Raynor, a quarterback with a long résumé even if it didn’t come at a Power Four stop. The Arkansas State transfer started for three seasons with the Red Wolves and now steps into the Big 12 with Iowa State.
The numbers show why he should not be brushed aside. Raynor has thrown for 8,694 yards and 52 touchdowns in 37 games, while also adding 1,183 rushing yards and 15 more scores on the ground.
In 2025, he led the Sun Belt in completions with 333, attempts with 501, passing yards with 3,361, and passing yards per game at 258.5. He also threw 11 interceptions, the most in the conference, but his 2.2% interception rate was the lowest of his career.
A different offense is waiting for him in Ames. Offensive coordinator Tyler Roehl is installing a pro-style system built around the run, which means Raynor won’t be asked to throw nearly as often as he did at Arkansas State.
That shift has made this summer a real adjustment period. At Arkansas State, Raynor was used to checking the sideline for play calls delivered through signals and signs.
Now he’s responsible for relaying the call in the huddle himself, a process that takes time and repetition. Having former Red Wolves offensive coordinator Keith Heckendorf on staff as quarterbacks coach has helped smooth that transition.
Raynor still has the kind of experience and production that should make him one of the more interesting quarterbacks in the country this season, and he’ll get his first chance to show it in Week 1 against Southeast Missouri at Jack Trice Stadium.
In Other News...
Iowa State Just Entered A Massive New Era Off The Field
Iowa State is not just planning around the next football season, it is reshaping the area around its biggest venues. The university officially broke ground on Cy-Town, the new entertainment district set between Jack Trice Stadium and Hilton Coliseum, with the goal of having it finished by fall 2028. The project is designed to give fans and visitors a year-round destination, with a Marriott-branded hotel, a concert stage, bars, shops and other businesses all part of the mix.
The timing matters because the athletic department is also preparing for a leadership change at the top. President David Cook is now leading the search for a new athletic director after Jamie Pollard announced retirement following more than two decades in the job. With a new district taking shape and a new era beginning in athletics administration, Iowa State is heading into a stretch that could change both the look and the feel of campus for years to come. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa State Loses A Promising Backcourt Piece Before He Even Debuts
Iowa State has taken a hit before the 2026-27 season even gets rolling, with freshman guard Christian Wiggins sidelined after suffering a torn Achilles tendon in practice. Coach T.J. Otzelberger confirmed Wiggins had successful surgery, and the injury will keep him out for the entire season, delaying the debut of a player the program had been eager to add to the backcourt.
Wiggins will preserve his eligibility and turn his attention to rehabilitation, with the hope of returning the following year. For a Cyclones roster that was expecting to see what the freshman could bring right away, the setback leaves a hole in the long-term plan and puts the focus on how quickly he can get back to full strength. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa State Just Got A New Week 3 Problem To Prepare For
Iowa States Week 3 prep just got a little more complicated with Bowling Green confirming a change at quarterback before the season even starts. Coach Eddie George told ESPN that transfer Jay Kastantin, who came over from Assumption College, will be the Falcons starter instead of the previously projected Austin Novosad, giving the Cyclones a different name to build around on the scouting report.
Kastantin arrives with real production behind him after a strong Division II run and a Northeast-10 Conference MVP award in 2025, so this is not just a depth-chart tweak on paper. For Iowa State, the main issue now is getting a clean read on what Bowling Green wants to do with a new QB leading the offense, and whether that change will force the Cyclones to adjust their early-season defensive plans before the matchup even arrives. [Read more 🡒]